Emergency Text Alert System Test Tomorrow

August 15, 2013

The Ministry of Public Safety advised today that a test of the SMS/Text alert system will be carried out tomorrow [Aug 16] at 12.30 p.m.

This follows after the signing of an MOU between the Ministry and Bermuda’s premier cell phone providers, Digicel and CellOne for the provision of weather alerts in the event of hurricanes or storms.

Minister of Public Safety Michael Dunkley said, “It is important that we test the system in advance of any real situation.

“We want people to be confident in the information we can provide from the EMO and also to be assured of the speed at which it can be delivered. I wish to again thank Digicel and CellOne for partnering with us in this public service.“

Tomorrow’s test message will be clearly identified as a test indicating that no action is to be taken. The Ministry stresses that this is only a test, and thanks the public for their understanding and participation.

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Comments (4)

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  1. Weknowahurricane'scoming says:

    No big deal. Dunkley’s just tinkering with an idea that wasn’t his to start with. Reliable info readily available online. Spend the time and money on getting the radar on weather.bm working instead.

  2. Prayerful says:

    I just received my test! I am impressed.

  3. Cool says:

    I also received my TEST EMO Text message. I am with CellOne and so is someone else I know but she has not received hers yet. I guess by the end of the day she will have hers. Cool idea.

    • Umm.... says:

      I’m willing to bet that because both companies sent these messages at the same time to all their customers, that there may be some delays. That’s a lot of text messages going out at one time, in addition to the text messages their customers are normally sending. But everyone should get theirs within reasonable time depending on their coverage. At he very least, someone you’re with or in your office will get it and notify you. The public will generally know that some bad weather is coming days in advance. I think this is just to notify of serious calamity or that the causeway is closing. Stuff like that which can be predicted hours in advance.

      But I got my messages and I have service by both companies. I hope they can also get this information online (if it isn’t already). But step in the right direction.